Reverse Proxy vs Load Balancer: What's the Difference?

If you're scaling an app, you'll hear both terms. While they look similar on a diagram, they solve different problems.

The Reverse Proxy

A reverse proxy sits in front of one or more web servers and intercepts requests. It provides:

• Security: Hides the identity of your backend servers.
• Caching: Serves static files so the backend doesn't have to.
• SSL Termination: Handles HTTPS encryption so your app only deals with plain HTTP.

The Load Balancer

A load balancer's primary job is Distribution. It ensures that traffic is spread evenly across a "pool" of multiple backend servers to prevent any single one from being overwhelmed.

In modern setups, tools like Nginx or HAProxy often perform both roles simultaneously.